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Angelica Pietrovito

How have you helped Int'l Students?

Here at Concordia on Campus we help a lot of International Students on daily basis. While most ask us about the different types of products offered here at RBC, we make sure that they know we are not just a bank. The very first client that I served at our On Campus location was an International student attending Concordia University. Throughout the appointment the client asked the basic banking questions but as he saw the snow fall outside, he asked us where he could get a winter jacket and boots. This goes to show that on Campus goes beyond the banking needs of the students but also focus on their beyond banking needs as well. In addition, we provide international students with campus maps, transit tips and even our choice of restaurant picks!

Have any budgeting tips?

My biggest struggle as a student was balancing work, school and my personal finances. Making a budget really helped me visually see my financial picture and also made me realize that buying my $6 coffee every morning may not be the best idea if I wanted to save money while on a part-time salary. As recent graduates, my team and I combined all aspects of our personal student budgets in order to create a custom budget workbook we present to students across the Concordia community. We hold many advice sessions in partnership with various associations on how to build a budget and focus on important questions such as how much money should I be saving every month or why is my credit score so important. Talking about our own personal experiences also allows the students to see that it’s okay not to have it all together while in school.

How can you help with the transition from student life to work life?

RBC On Campus has the amazing opportunity not only to help students throughout their educational careers but to follow them as the step into the workforce as well. Let me be the first to say, that this is not an easy transition. Adulting is hard! Our team at Concordia on Campus has gone through this exact experience and has the tools to help make this transition as smooth as possible. When entering the workforce, most students feel pressure to know exactly how to handle their changing financial picture on top of trying to adapt to a new work environment and learning new skills. Sometimes all you need to hear is “It’s going to be okay” and “I’m here to help you”. With our custom RBC calculators, MyAdvisor platforms and excel workbooks, the RBC on Campus team at Concordia is here to help you!

Kane Lillywhite

How have you helped International Students?

I work closely with international students to help them develop a holistic understanding of the Canadian banking system, as well as best practices in launching their career. It is through meaningful advice and solutions that I have formed deep relationships with the students I have worked with. They continue to remain connected after they graduate, from seeking professional advice in building their net worth, starting their own business, to inviting me to participate in their workplace events, I leverage the various partners we have within RBC to even further deepen our relationships.

I need a budget! Can you help?

I continually work to help students understand the importance of building a budget and understanding the value of the money in their pockets. Typically, students find it hard to save given their ongoing commitments to their education and lack of full-time work. Couple this with the fact that most of them also have a goal they want to save towards makes saving incredibly difficult. RBC’s Budgeting Tool makes is really easy to understand what your income sources and expenses are. I use it all the time in my conversations with students, and has worked wonders in getting them to think critically about their cash flow.

What if I need some help, career-wise?

I work closely with a number of student clubs, departments, and organizations to provide value to their members. Career conversations are commonplace in my daily job and I leverage the RBC Future Launch resources available to us to elevate the conversations even further. Almost all the career events we have hosted are supplemented by Future Launch resources, which help students channel their inner career professional, and bring their best selves to the forefront.

Martin Njoroge

How have you helped Int'l Students?

As an immigrant myself, I can appreciate the different moving parts that come into play when an individual is settling in away from home. I recall helping an International student with their banking and in our conversation he shared how uncertain he felt. We took time to discuss the ways a student can save money. The conversation led us to talk about thrift shops where winter outfits and accessories are available at a cheaper price, locations of local ethnic shops and various facilities and amenities in the city. By the end of our appointment, the student’s worries were gone!

Have any budgeting tips?

Being part of the student journey is important to us at RBC On Campus. My team and I get satisfaction when we help students understand the benefits of having a budget and sticking to it. Such little habits of money management have helped many in avoiding unplanned spending and promote building savings. Some have shared that these savings have assisted with expenses after graduation.

Tell us about Future Launch and RBC On Campus

Frequently, our team collaborates with different student associations and clubs in hosting career based events or discussions. Future Launch is an interactive tool we showcase during these sessions that equips students with the proper skillsets to start on their career path. This coupled with advice/solutions from both UofL Career Services and RBC On Campus team, and we can be a part of elevating students towards successful careers. It is always amazing to connect with students, helping them with banking solutions, host financial literacy sessions and join them in fun activities.

Stefania Lenti

How have you helped Int'l Students?

Having worked in the area for a while, I have met many International Students. We would have many students walking into the branch to open their first account, and I always felt so excited to show them their new accounts and give them guidance on how the Canadian banking system works. Students were always appreciative and that always gave me great joy in knowing I helped students with their first experience. Be it their first account, first credit card, first investment account, I knew I was helping students set themselves up for success.

Have any budgeting tips?

Building a budget can seem daunting, but when I sit down with students and review what’s important to them, it becomes far more manageable for everyone involved. With RBC MyAdvisor’s Cash Flow, we can show students an accurate picture of their monthly expenses and the opportunities they have to save even more for the future. Starting to budget while in school helps students put themselves first financially and will help them down the road, especially post-graduation.

Tell us about Future Launch and RBC On Campus

Future Launch and RBC On Campus go hand in hand. When describing what we do here, our purpose and goal very much aligns with what Future Launch offers students. Helping students prepare for the road ahead is something I am very passionate about. Showing students different ways to grow their skills, grow their network, get work experience and enhance their mental well-being is really what RBC On Campus is all about. We want to help students not only with their banking and financial needs, but also with their personal growth.

How can you help with the transition from student life to work life?

With the RBC Student Hub, students can use our resources to set their goals for the future while in school, and with RBC UpSkill easily accessible through the hub, students can explore their options post-graduation. The RBC On Campus advice events we routinely host are another great way for us to share our stories in our careers and help students in that next step in their post-graduate life.